Tungsten-infused silicone gel body weight

ABSTRACT

A flexible body worn weight device includes tungsten powder suspended within a silicone rubber substrate. The device evenly distributes weight along a length and a circumference of a region of a user&#39;s body and moves with the user&#39;s body. The body weight device worn on a specific body location improves overall health and fitness without altering the mechanics of human movement. The device worn over multiple regions of the body simulates increased gravity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/056,792, filed Jul. 27, 2020, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weights worn on the body and, more particularly, to tungsten-infused silicone gel body weights.

Current body weighted devices are made of sand, iron, lead or select gels. No such weight has the characteristics necessary to move with the human body. Body weighted devices overload the skin over a small surface area of the body. This leads to altered mechanics during human motion. They also often slide during use, leak, and are extremely rigid and/or bulky. If an athlete wears a weight vest while training, his or her trapezius muscles will hurt, and the athlete's posture is negatively affected. Wrist or ankle weights load the ankle bone and put all the added weight towards the foot. Currently, skate weights are attached to the skate boots. They throw off the player's stride because of the specific load position.

As can be seen, there is a need for a weighted device that is flexible, low-profile, moves with the human body, and distributes the weight along an extremity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a flexible body worn weight device is provided comprising tungsten powder suspended within a silicone rubber substrate, said flexible body worn weight device being operative to evenly distribute weight along a length and a circumference of a region of a user's body and being operative to move with the user's body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body weight according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a high-density, flexible body worn weight device comprising tungsten-infused silicone-gel which provides a balanced weight distribution.

The inventive weights are sometimes referred to herein as “TiG”, which stands for “Tungsten Infused Gel”.

TiG spreads the weight and is operative to evenly distribute the weight along the length and circumference of a calf or forearm. Because it is a silicone-based weight, it is customizable and may be molded into any shape. Body weighted devices comprising the tungsten-containing silicone-based material may be formed into breathable configurations to maximize air flow. The weights are also washable with warm water.

The inventive body weights may be worn on specific body locations to improve overall health and fitness, or they may be worn over multiple regions of the body, simulating increased gravity. TiG body weights may also take the form of weighted insoles, weighted grips, weight shoe soles, and weighted gloves. TiG is perfect for hockey.

The inventive weight material comprises a silicone gel, such as Ecoflex™ 00-33 AF, an anti-fungal silicone rubber made by Smooth-On, Inc.™. Formed weights may also be coated in Ecoflex™ anti-fungal silicone rubber. The silicone rubber substrate is flexible and stretchable such that it moves with the user's body, and it may be sewn into compression fabric for a comfortable, secure fit. It is also waterproof and skin safe.

The inventive weight material also comprises tungsten powder. The tungsten particles are suspended within the silicone rubber substrate. TiG's high density provides a slim profile so that the weights may be worn discretely. The tungsten content makes the inventive weights heavier than iron or lead. TiG may include sufficient tungsten to be characterized by a density of up to about 16 g/cm³. In comparison, the density of pure iron is 7.874 g/cm³ and the density of lead is 11.29 g/cm³.

In some embodiments, iron powder may be added to increase the part's rigidity as well as to lower the cost. Iron may also be added to increase volume within a mold.

A method of making the inventive weight may include the following steps. The silicone ingredients may be mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Vacuum degassing produces silicone with no air which improves mixing. While mixing the silicone, tungsten and/or iron powder may be added in a predetermined ratio. In some embodiments, coloring may be added. Once thoroughly mixed, the composition may be degassed in a vacuum chamber a second time and the TiG liquid may be poured, compressed, or injected into a mold of any shape. The composition generally cures in about 2 to 4 hours, depending on temperature (cure may be expedited with heat). The tungsten-infused silicone removed from the mold may be recoated in skin safe Ecoflex™ anti-fungal silicone rubber before being used as a body weight device. The structural integrity of the body weight device may be improved by increased mixing techniques, high purity metal powders, high compression, and durable steel molds. Tear resistance may be increased by injection or compression. The more tightly packed the particles are, the better TiG's tear resistance qualities become.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible, high-density moldable weight 10 comprising a tungsten-infused gel according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown worn on a user's forearm as a body weight 12. As the sectional view of FIG. 2 shows, the body weight 12 comprises a tungsten infused gel 12 a structure interspersed with spaces 12 b or apertures and has a cover 14 layer. The tungsten infused gel 12 a structure is generally prepared in a mold 16, as illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 provides a flow chart of a method of preparing the flexible, high-density moldable weight 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible body worn weight device comprising tungsten powder suspended within a silicone rubber substrate, said flexible body worn weight device being operative to evenly distribute weight along a length and a circumference of a region of a user's body and being operative to move with the user's body.
 2. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, further having a plurality of apertures configured to maximize air flow therethrough.
 3. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, further comprising a compression fabric cover.
 4. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, characterized by a density of from about 11.29 g/cm³ to about 16 g/cm³.
 5. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, wherein the silicone rubber substrate has an anti-fungal characteristic.
 6. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, wherein the flexible body worn weight device further comprises iron powder suspended within the silicone rubber substrate.
 7. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, wherein the flexible body worn weight device is selected from the group consisting of: a sleeve, weighted insoles, weighted grips, weight shoe soles, and weighted gloves.
 8. The flexible body worn weight device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures and a compression fabric cover and characterized by a density of from about 11.29 g/cm³ to about 16 g/cm³. 